Harry L. Shock Jr.

by Contributor | March 6, 2026 8:16 am

OSWEGO – March 2, 2026, Harry Laurence Shock Jr, 79, of Oswego, NY, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026.  Born in Chicago, Illinois, Harry was the son of the late, Harry (Bud) and Helen (Flick) Shock, and had one sibling, his late sister, Cheryl Ledbetter.  He was affectionately known to friends and loved ones as “Skip” a childhood name that spanned decades.

As a person who appreciated higher education, Harry’s post graduate education ultimately led him to Ball State where he received a Master’s in Student Personnel Administration.  From there he went to work at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He described his time at Oshkosh as wild and crazy. Harry’s career path in housing then led him to a position with SUNY Geneseo for 5 years where he worked as a Dorm Director. Skip then moved to SUNY Oswego working in the Housing Department’s Central Staff and was able to make the career shift to student advisement, where he remained until his retirement as the Assistant Dean of Students.

In 1981, Harry and Larry Mayo were blessed to have met.  Their relationship was love at first sight and that bond continued for 44 years. They were married in 2012.  Larry’s three children, who were equally smitten with Harry’s sincere kindness, and good-natured personality, soon began calling him Skip, a name they used until his final day.

Skip loved to dance. In his younger years, he could often be found in the discos of Syracuse, NY. Off the dance floor, Skip was often found gardening alone or with Larry, and their yard was the envy of the neighborhood. Skip could often be found checking out auctions and sales, looking for antiques, old Christmas ornaments, and art glassware. His collection taste matured and he concentrated on collecting American Art pottery in his later years.

For the last 27 summers, much of his time was spent in the Adirondack Mountains at Trails End, Wanakena, NY.  Skip took great care and thought while decorating the house with décor from the camp’s heyday. He enjoyed numerous weekends hiking, boating, fishing, reading books, listening to music and most especially spending time with his entire family in Wanakena.  This small hamlet’s seasonal and year-round residents became a second family to Skip and Larry.  Most recently, they became involved with the Wanakena Historical Association and became part of the effort to create the Wanakena History Center.

Skip is survived by his husband:  Larry Mayo of Oswego; their three children:  Jessica (Ryan) Gregory, Silas Mayo, and Eliza St. Onge; eight grandchildren, Bentley Brosch, Sophia Brosch, Reiley Mayo, Chase Mayo, Calvin Mayo, Addyson St. Onge, Grace St. Onge, and Harper St. Onge; his brother-in-law David Ledbetter, two nephews:  David and Jason Ledbetter, and numerous Mayo family members.

A Celebration of Harry’s Life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Sunday, March 8th at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Social Hall, 22 Munn Street, Oswego, NY.  Burial will be held in the spring at the Wanakena Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wanakena Historical Association, P.O. Box 73, Wanakena, NY 13695.  The Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home, 147 W. 4^th St., Oswego, NY has care of the arrangements.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/obituaries/funeral-homes/sugar-and-sugar-scanlon-funeral-homes/harry-l-shock-jr/

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